TPM: Justice Department To Launch Push For Full Recognition Of Same-Sex Marriage

In an assertion of same-sex marriage rights, Attorney General Eric Holder is applying a landmark Supreme Court ruling to the Justice Department, announcing Saturday that same-sex spouses cannot be compelled to testify against each other, should be eligible to file for bankruptcy jointly and are entitled to the same rights and privileges as federal prison inmates in opposite-sex marriages. The Justice Department runs a number of benefits programs, and Holder says same-sex couples will qualify for them. They include the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and benefits to surviving spouses of public safety officers who suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries in the line of duty.

AG Eric Holder about to expand fed recognition of same-sex marriages "to the greatest extent possible under the law."

“In every courthouse, in every proceeding and in every place where a member of the Department of Justice stands on behalf of the United States, they will strive to ensure that same-sex marriages receive the same privileges, protections and rights as opposite-sex marriages under federal law,” Holder said in prepared remarks to the Human Rights Campaign in New York. The advocacy group works on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equal rights.

On Monday, the Justice Department will issue a policy memo to its employees instructing them to give lawful same-sex marriages full and equal recognition, to the greatest extent possible under the law. After the Supreme Court decision last June, the Treasury Department and the IRS said that all legally married gay couples may file joint federal tax returns, even if they reside in states that do not recognize same-sex marriages. The Defense Department said it would grant military spousal benefits to same-sex couples. The Health and Human Services Department said the Defense of Marriage Act is no longer a bar to states recognizing same-sex marriages under state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management said it is now able to extend benefits to legally married same-sex spouses of federal employees and annuitants.

“Moral Monday spinoffs have begun in Georgia and South Carolina, and national progressive leaders like Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers traveled to Raleigh to lend their support today. “This is a movement, not a moment” is a frequent refrain among Moral Monday activists. “This was just the beginning,” Barber said after the rally. “We did not come all this way just to go home.” Barber just wrapped up a sixteen city tour of the state last week. He’ll hit the road again next week.”

When I learned that NBC was deleting parts of a speech from the Olympics – it was the final nail to end any thoughts that the US media is other than the media side of the GOP

They exist to promote RW talking points – they hide any news that puts the GOP in a bad place – they hide any news that puts the democrats in a good place.

What reason could anyone have for altering Olympic speeches – if NBC has addressed it – I haven’t seen it. The fact that they delay coverage is bad enough – but that they delay it so they can change it – is not something I ever expected to happen in the USA. This is no democracy in action.

Here is my question, Jeff: Where are the national media people? Why aren’t they taking this Oklahoman Congressman to task? I am absolutely convinced that if a Democratic member of Congress, during the Bush presidency, seemed to agree with, or was totally silent about, his/her town hall attendee who advocated the execution of President Bush that Democratic Congressman would have been subjected to 24-7 coverage and pundit attacks; and would have been history within in just two weeks! Yet this Oklahoma Congressman stood there and listened to this woman calling for the execution of President Obama and raised no objection. As a matter of fact, he supported the woman by asserting that President Obama has been “lawless,” which, in my humble opinion, was a tacit endorsement of the woman’s call for the execution of President Obama.

As far as I am concerned, the greatest threat to our Democracy is utter failure of the so called mainstream media to honestly report on the lunacy of the extremists who are now in control of the Republican party.

Those flakes were supposed to expand into large circle, then join together to form the five Olympic rings. But as the flakes slowly transitioned, one refused to budge. The other circle joined together, while one snowflake stubbornly stayed in place. We were left with four Olympic rings with an asterisk.”

POTUS said it, “When one of us is free we are all more free.”
Same could be said for ACA.

If you think health care only matters for you and yours, think again, GOP/MSM/TP

The workers in the restaurant you’re dining in today—would you prefer that they are able to see a doctor and have a sick day to do so
OR would you prefer to have them chained to the stoves and sinks serving you no matter their state of health?

How about the sales associate at the store you’re shopping in?

Or the valet parking person handing you your keys?

Every Americans health is a matter for all Americans.

14 Million more enrolees soon. An avalanche (as Don calls it) we welcome.

I’m applauding the efforts of NW, Chips, and others in highlighting the hard work of the current President and his current AG, Eric Holder in realizing full rights for the LGBT community by displaying their pictures and naming them every time, because some media outlets (e.g., Huffington Post) are making damn sure that there is no mention of these two. Meanwhile, the same outlets were the ones busy screaming PBO and Holder’s names when attacking them on behalf of the emoprogs and certain LGBT factions.

Good Day my Chips and TOD family. Thank you Nerdy W., for another beautiful piece of wonderful work. You all are so dedicated and so faithful. I love you and thank you all.

Those two brilliant, loving, compassionate, and faithful men above will always give me hope. Two men who will continue to work hard for the rights and goodness of the people in this nation. I love our brilliant Attorney General, Eric Holder for so many reasons, but one sticks out for sure, and that is he is there with President Obama during this journey.

I hope all of our TOD family members are having a wonderful Sat. The weather will cause many of us to get a little down, but we will make it with encouragement from each other that our cities and states officials will work together to make life a little more hopeful during this phase in our nation. Keep warm as can be possible.

Loving thoughts and prayers going forth for Gobrooklyn, Alycee, tnmtngirl, NCLB, and all who are moving gently within their space. We collectively will lift each other up in our prayers and thoughts. Candles help me to see beyond my present concerns and to know that there will be a measure of sweet light soon, no matter what we are going through. Find that little beam of light and move with it in love, , peacefulness, and much grace. We Will Get Though This Too. (((((((((((((((((((( I love you all so dearly.))))))))))))))))))HZ

Beautiful Chips. Danny is such a handsome fellow. Love seeing his pictures. He and our First Dogs are beautiful historic treasures. Brilliant all three of them.

I am doing fine. Each day is a blessing. My blood work came in fine from my cardiologist yesterday. Appointment with my primary doc on Tuesday. Waiting for dental procedure. That one will take a toll on the nerves, but my brother is so supportive even through his demanding schedule and personal life requires much time and stress. I am so grateful for his presence in my life. However, as he always reminds me through our conversation, “Keep strong in what you do know now, and we will take care of the approaching unknowns together when they arrive.” He is of a calmer spirit than his Sis. Thanks for your loving concern always, Chips. Love you very much. HZ

Well today was my great aunts funeral and I’ve never seen anything like it. She lived to be 102 years old. She gave birth to 20 children. She had 70 grand children, 158 great-grands, 82 great-great grands and 2 great-great-great grands. There were so many people at her funeral that they had to use an overflow room. RIP Aunt V you left a legacy of family that will be around for hundreds of years to come.

That is such a wonderful story – 2 g g g grands! – my beloved grandbabe had no g grandmas alive at her birth – let alon a g g g – what an incredible story – and you haven’t mentioned the nieces/nephews and the associated ggg s Surely there is a story for the world to read.

By election in my world yesterday (Saturday – all elections are on a Saturday) – 71% voted – and it’s compulsory – shows how the message does NOT get out – other than for a general election. usual vote is over 90%

SCEAM………CBS just did a major hit piece on the ACA. My husband watched intently. Double scream……because he is convinced that the ACA will “destroy this country.” AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

CBS, the network that brought us Lara Logan, doesn’t have a whole lot of credibility except with people who are already inclined to believe the worst about PBO and anything he says/does. So I doubt their lil’ hit piece changed any minds. Take heart tnmtngirl!!! :) The ACA is here to stay!!!

I know it’s here to stay–thank God. Wouldn’t have minded nearly as much if my husband hadn’t been home and listening. The thing is: The way it was presented, I think it is the insurance companies that is causing the issue the report talked about. But, of course, report made it sound like it is the ACA that is totally and completely to blame. Yes, it was done that way on purpose. Just another example of our lazy and hate-filled media.

Hey! You! Tnmtngirl, didn’t we just do some heart-strengthening, blood-pressure-lowering, sanity-restoring exercises not long ago?? ONLY YOU have the power, it’s right there on the remote control: spelled, Power! You need to go easy, and your husband to, as he has to look after you for a bit! #clickoff.

All you need to know about the promoter
Feldman, you’ll recall, is an enormous charlatan, even by boxing standards. He puts on “celebrity” fights and voluntarily likens his work to “the WWE of boxing.” The chances of this fight happening were only slightly better than it being on the level if it ever did happen.

But there are tweets captured here, right? Maybe he missed my ‘good karma decision’ comment, or just maybe, the ante on the price of his soul just keeps going up and up, and he is unconscious of the concept that money ain’t going with him when he leaves this world. Mindlessness is not a ticket into heaven.

I wish the gala were livestreamed so we could witness history – Dr. holder is giving remarks, but no cable network is carrying it. Meanwhile, the networks and CSPAN were all tripping over themselves to carry the GOP’s silly “hearings” and manufactured scandals about Dr. Holder. These double standards are worth noting…